Bridle-bit.



J. A. FAIRBANKS.

BRIDLE BIT.

APPLIUATION FILED SEPT. 21, 1908. RENEWED APR. 15, 191Q.

Patented Nov. 15, 1910.

FFIC

JOHN A. FAIRBANKS, 0F CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO MARTHA B. FAIRBANKS, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

BRIDLE-BIT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 15, 1910.

Application filed September 21, 1908, Serial No. 454,108. Renewed April 15, 1910. Serial No. 555,740.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. FAIRBANKS, a citizen of the United States, of Cambridge, in the county ,of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in BridleBits, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of bits known as flexible bits, and consist in making the bar or mouthpiece of a number of segments joined together by tenons and mortises, the said tenons and mortises being so proportioned and arranged that the joints so made admit of perfect flexibility in one direction, thus allowing the bit to curve in one direction, as will be explained to a limited extent and still constitute a reliable bit. The mechanism by which I attain this result is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows one of my finished bits in plan. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the bit before it is curved. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the bit as it appears from the rear, the springs being omitted. Fig. A shows the uncovered bit as it appears when curved to its limit of curvature. Figs. 5 and 6 show details in perspective.

The construction of the bit is as follows, referring to the drawings, the end pieces A and A are formed with terminals B and B which are adapted to receive and hold the bridle rings C C Thus in Fig. 6 the part B which is made to hold the ring C is made as a part of the segment A which may be of cast malleable metal, or may be forged in a drop press. To insert the bridle ring the part B may be cut, as shown at D, and opened to allow the ring to be inserted and then closed up again.

The intermediate segments H and H have tenons K K which loosely fit into mortises N N made in the ends of the adjacent segments as shown. The middle segment L may if desired be made longer than the others.

The joints formed by the tenons and mortises are loose, and yet strong as the tenons K have enlarged ends, which flt the mortises and cannot be drawn away longitudinally.

The mouthpiece is kept in its normal position, that is, straight as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 by means of springs S S S which may be attached by a rivet or screw to the center segment L, and if desirable to the other segment by pins which pass through elongated openings made in the said springs. When the bit is completed it is covered by some suitable yielding material like leather or rubber.

In making the bit its exact construction may be varied by making the parts of different lengths and shapes. The main feature of the invention lies in the fact that it is flexible and yielding to strain up to a determined limit of curvature (see Fig. 4) and when the amount of curvature is reached to the predetermined amount then the bit becomes rigid to the strain in the direction of the draft.

Claim:

A bridle bit having a mouth-piece which is made of jointed segments having abutting shoulders whereby the bit is flexible in one direction only and to a limited curvature, and a spring constructed to act upon said segments to keep them in line, substan tially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 18th day of September A. D. 1908.

JOHN A. FAIRBANKS.

Witnesses:

JOHN BUOKLER, FRANK Gr. PARKER. 

